Orientation semester

StartES! - a good decision!

startES! is the one-semester orientation programme offered by Esslingen University of Applied Sciences to help you prepare for student life.
It offers you the opportunity to find out about a wide range of degree programmes from three fields: engineering, business and social work.

startES! gives prospective students like you space and time to find out, try out and decide which programme to apply for, so that you can make the right decision for yourself and your future at the end of the semester.

The coordinated modules help you to learn more about yourself, your abilities and what you actually want. Esslingen University of Applied Sciences will support and advise you as you explore options for your future degree programme.

From start to finish in three steps

Step 1 - Find out what opportunities are available

Introductory week with assessment, reflection and advice based on your personal expectations and aspirations.

Step 2 - Try out student life

Key skills, such as mathematics, physics, study techniques or teamwork and communication skills play an important role in making it easier to study. You will also gain a realistic insight into life as a student and attend the foundation courses for your chosen lectures.

Step 3 - Decide where your future lies

You will visit companies and find out about your future career opportunities in these fields. The programme also includes discussions with Academic Directors in which you will receive tips and suggestions about which degree programme to choose.

Facts and figures for the orientation semester at Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

The orientation semester is a self-contained introductory programme with its own courses. The faculties at Esslingen University of Applied Sciences are also involved, thus enabling you to attend lectures and seminars in all cooperating degree programmes and take their examinations. These can then be taken into account when you subsequently decide to take this degree programme.

Modul	Objective	Credit Points
Module 1: Planning your studies and career guidance	Realistic assessment and reflection on your individual expectations and aspirations. Insight into participating Bachelor degree programmes and future fields of employment.	8
Module 2: Key skills and competences to help you succeed at university	Acquire knowledge of mathematics and the natural sciences and the key skills that all students need.	8
Module 3: Try out student life	Choose a range of courses from the participating degree programmes and try them out in real time.	14
Complete list		30

Presentation "Info event orientation semester at Esslingen University of Applied Sciences" (in German)

The programme for summer semester 2025 commences on Monday, 26 February with a kick-off week in which you will join all the other participants in taking your first steps towards planning your university studies.

For whom is the orientation programme offered by Esslingen University of Applied Sciences intended?

The startES! orientation programme is aimed at prospective students who have not yet decided on a degree programme and would like to learn more about what studying under real conditions is really like. Innovative workshops equip you with skills you can use throughout your studies and you can get an idea of what studying involves and the subjects you enjoy by attending classes and lectures.

Apart from finding out about the subjects you can study, other important aspects are acquiring key skills that all students need and learning more about your career prospects.

Admission requirements

Applicants must have a university entry qualification or equivalent.

Further interesting aspects of the programme are that you:

Gain a realistic insight into different degree programmes and life as a student
Acquire transferable key skills
Obtain a concrete idea of your career opportunities
Get to know your own strengths, interests and what you actually want
Earn credits for the degree programme you subsequently decide on
Significantly improve your chances of success when applying for many degree programmes

Receive a certificate on successful completion

Certificate

A certificate at the end of the programme confirms the number of ECTS credits awarded from all three modules. Depending on the programme chosen, the ECTS credits gained from the “Try out student life” module may count towards your subsequent degree programme.

startES! is not a degree programme, but a programme which you either pass or fail. To pass overall, you must gain at least 14 ECTS (pass the examinations).

If you do not pass startES!, this will be of no consequence when you subsequently apply for and take any Bachelor degree programme. Failed attempts in individual examinations do not count as failed exams in the subsequent Bachelor programme.

The orientation programme begins with an assessment week. In the summer semester 2024 it start son Monday, 4 March.

Schedule (in German)